Cowdin Design + Build • Kitchen Remodeling • Plymouth, Michigan

A kitchen is the most complex and the most used workspace in the house, and it's important that your remodeled kitchen matches your needs and lifestyle as closely as possible.

Consider how you use your kitchen…

How many people are in your household who use the kitchen? The answer to this question will determine how much you use your kitchen gets, and much traffic there is likely to be in the kitchen at any one time.

Do two or more cooks typically work at the same time? If so, you may want extra counter space and/or an extra sink.

Do you entertain frequently and do you typically have formal or informal gatherings? If you entertain a lot, you may want to open up the kitchen/living room area into a great room that lets you be part of the party while you are working.

What other activities commonly occur in the kitchen? Some homes have a laundry closet in the kitchen. Some people want a wet bar, a breakfast bar or even a desk for writing or computer work.

Do you have any special needs? Is a user exceptionally short or tall and uncomfortable working at standard height counters for long periods of time? Do you have a disabled or elderly household member who may have special needs?

Think about the features you want…

Do you need an island (and have room for it), a peninsular or breakfast nook?

Would you fill a pantry?

Would you rather have a stainless steel sink or enameled cast-iron?

Do you use the microwave for major cooking or just occasionally?

Do you prefer cooking with gas or electricity?

Do you want a combination oven-and range or a cook top with a wall oven?

Do you use small enough appliances that you could use an appliance garage to store them?

Considering Styles….

Does the style you like fit your home? You may have loved the European cabinets in the magazine, but they might not look good in your Queen Anne Victorian.

What kind of color changes do want to make? Would the ideal color necessitate buying new appliances? When you choose colors, think of them in relation to surrounding rooms and try to find colors that complement the rest of the house.

Considering Layout…

What shape of kitchen will work best for you? A straight wall kitchen, a center island kitchen, a U-shaped kitchen, a L or G shaped kitchen or a gallery type kitchen?

How will everything fit within that given shape? If you're building a new home, of course you'll have more options to incorporate additional space and added features in the plans.